Treatment

HAV is typically a self-limited infection and treatment is primarily directed towards supportive care, including analgesics, hydration and medication for pruritus. Patients should be instructed to avoid hepatotoxic medications and alcohol. In cases of acute liver failure due to HAV, transfer to a liver transplantation center should be considered. Other complications of HAV infection should be managed via a standard approach to those disease entities.[47]

Conflicts of Interest By the West JEM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. No author has professional or financial relationships with any companies that are relevant to this study. There are no conflicts of interest or sources of funding to declare.

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Population Health Research Capsule

What do we already know about this issue?

Public health officials are reporting outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV), the cause of a highly contagious illness that can lead to serious morbidity and occasional mortality.

What was the research question?

Investigators sought to modify the "Identify-Isolate-Inform" (3I) Tool for use in management of HAV outbreaks.

What was the major finding of the study?

A novel HAV 3I Tool is created for real-time application in managing patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

How does this improve population health?

HAV presents a renewed public health challenge. ED providers have an essential role in assisting public health with management of this vaccine-preventable disease.